Sir, I agree with the views of Dr A. Peters Reid in Needless waste (BDJ 2010; 209: 591). I feel passionately about this matter, as a newly qualified dentist, and feel that the Department of Health are wasting a valuable resource to the National Health Service. With current and improving standards in cross infection control, risk of HIV transmission is indeed minimal. As such it seems to me that not allowing an experienced dental practitioner to practise is outdated. There should be further research into this matter, particularly when you consider that general dental practitioners are allowed to practise in the USA, Australia and Europe.